Nonmyeloablative Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Richard K. Burt, MD Context Manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may in most pa-
tients be ameliorated with medications that suppress the immune system. Neverthe-
less, there remains a subset of SLE patients for whom current strategies are insuffi-cient to control disease. Objective To assess the safety of intense immunosuppression and autologous he-
matopoietic stem cell support in patients with severe and treatment-refractory SLE. Design, Setting, and Participants A single-arm trial of 50 patients with SLE re-
fractory to standard immunosuppressive therapies and either organ- or life-threatening visceral involvement. Patients were enrolled from April 1997 through Janu-
ary 2005 in an autologous nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
(HSCT) study at a single US medical center. Interventions Peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized with cyclophosphamide (2.0 g/m2) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (5 µg/kg per day), enriched ex
vivo by CD34ϩ immunoselection, cryopreserved, and reinfused after treatment with
cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) and equine antithymocyte globulin (90 mg/kg). Main Outcome Measures The primary end point was survival, both overall and
disease-free. Secondary end points included SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), se-rology (antinuclear antibody [ANA] and anti–double-stranded (ds) DNA), comple-
SYSTEMICLUPUSERYTHEMATO- mentC3andC4,andchangesinrenalandpulmonaryorganfunctionassessedbefore
treatment and at 6 months, 12 months, and then yearly for 5 years. Results Fifty patients were enrolled and underwent stem cell mobilization. Two pa-
tients died after mobilization, one from disseminated mucormycosis and another from
sive medications, was generally fatal.
active lupus after postponing the transplantation for 4 months. Forty-eight patients
underwent nonmyeloablative HSCT. Treatment-related mortality was 2% (1/50). Byintention to treat, treatment-related mortality was 4% (2/50). With a mean fol-
low-up of 29 months (range, 6 months to 7.5 years) for patients undergoing HSCT,
overall 5-year survival was 84%, and probability of disease-free survival at 5 years
following HSCT was 50%. Secondary analysis demonstrated stabilization of renal func-
tion and significant improvement in SLEDAI score, ANA, anti-ds DNA, complement,
and carbon monoxide diffusion lung capacity adjusted for hemoglobin. Conclusions In treatment-refractory SLE, autologous nonmyeloablative HSCT re-
sults in amelioration of disease activity, improvement in serologic markers, and either
stabilization or reversal of organ dysfunction. These data are nonrandomized and thus
preliminary, providing the foundation and justification for a definitive randomized trial.
ity from active disease, with visceral or-
Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00271934 Author Affiliations are listed at the end of this
of Immunotherapy, Northwestern University Fein-
For editorial comment see p 559.
berg School of Medicine, 750 N Lake Shore Dr, Chi-
Corresponding Author: Richard K. Burt, MD, Division
cago, IL 60611 ([email protected]).
2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
(Reprinted) JAMA, February 1, 2006—Vol 295, No. 5 527
HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN LUPUS
participate. All patients had at least 4 of
eligibility criteria included World Health
Stem Cell Mobilization and Conditioning
myelitis), vasculitis (confirmed by biopsy
abling pain despite narcotic use), ulcer-
defined by the Sapporo criteria.18 Nephri-
tis required failure of 6 or more monthly
visceral organ involvement required fail-
daily, 4, 3, and 2 days before transplan-
Antibiotic Prophylaxis Outcome Characteristics
vival and disease remission, which is de-
all 50 patients enrolled in the study. Patient Eligibility
either daily acyclovir or valacyclovir.
dard therapies were enrolled in an autolo-
rial Hospital (Chicago, Ill) after signing
a n t i b o d y [ A N A ] , a n t i – d o u b l e -
approved by an institutional review board
528 JAMA, February 1, 2006—Vol 295, No. 5 (Reprinted)
2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN LUPUS
Follow-up
bin). Statistical significance was set at
PϽ.05. Overall and disease-free sur-
for 1 year after the transplantation.
yearly thereafter. Medical history, physi-
Fluid and Electrolytes
patient was not able to return for follow-
Pre-HSCT Patient Demographics
up, medical records and laboratory blood-
Fifty patients were enrolled in the trial.
Forty-eight patients underwent HSCT.
local physician or medical facility. If a
patient refused or did not complete a test,
(range, 6 months to 7.5 years). TABLE 1
vided that he or she participated with the
Statistical Analysis
Nonparametric t test analysis using Sta-
Pre-HSCT Disease Manifestations TABLE 2 lists pre-HSCT disease mani- Anticoagulation Prophylaxis Table 1. Patient Demographics and Pretransplantation History (N = 50)
For patients receiving anticoagulation or
Variable No. of Patients
anticoagulation was initiated with either
Blood Transfusions
Platelet transfusions were given to main-
30 000/µL if patients were receiving an-
1 Patient each: leflunamide, 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine,
bin level less than 8.0 g/dL. Platelets and
antithymocyte globulin, chlorambucil, gold
Abbreviations: LMWH, low-molecular-weight heparin; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus.
2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
(Reprinted) JAMA, February 1, 2006—Vol 295, No. 5 529
HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN LUPUS
Table 2. Pretransplantation Disease Manifestations No. of Patients for Whom Manifestation Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endo-
Condition No. of Patients Was a Primary Indication for HSCT
edema as a result of volume overload.
ultrafiltration. Thereafter, for patients
Abbreviation: HSCT, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
of mesna and bladder irrigation with-out hyperhydration. In the last 44 pa-
sient ischemic attacks, or transverse my-
transplantation was started, for a treat-
jiroveci pneumonia on bronchoscopy and
related pancytopenia and neutropenia. Stem Cell Mobilization
Stem cell collection occurred 10 days af-
and required a mean of 2.5 apheresis pro-
after each dose of cyclophosphamide.
term peritoneal dialysis grew Candidaparapsilosis, and blood specimens from
active SLE. Three patients without a his-
1 patient grew Candida glabrata. Four pa-
8.95ϫ106 and 5.46ϫ106, respectively.
tients had positive stool-culture results:
3 for Clostridium difficile and 1 for Sal-Toxicity monella. Cytomegalovirus viremia with-
factor VIII deficiency (2 patients) or ITP
patients with factor VIII deficiency, the
tively (TABLE 3). The mean number of
developed P jiroveci pneumonia and
530 JAMA, February 1, 2006—Vol 295, No. 5 (Reprinted)
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HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN LUPUS
Overall and Disease-Free Survival Table 3. Transplantation-Related Toxic Variable Patients Serology and Complement
sion, 1 patient died at 6 months after an
was significantly lower (all PϽ.05) at 3,
significantly improved (all PϽ.05) at 3,
cantly improved (all PϽ.05) at 3, 6, 12,
(FIGURE 2). C4 also improved in par-
curred in patients entering remission.
patient was placed in hospice for refrac-
Disease Activity and Organ Function
combinations of fever, rash,arthralgia, transient tachycardia,
significantly lower (all PϽ.05) for up
to 5 years after HSCT (FIGURE 3). Pul-
5-year survival was 84% (FIGURE 1).
Abbreviations: ANC, absolute neutrophil count; ATG, anti-
thymocyte globulin; HSC, hematopoietic stem cell; HSCT,HSC transplantation.
or renal failure. Of the 25 patients with
a history of nephritis (TABLE 4), 3 were
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HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN LUPUS
Figure 1. Probability of Survival and Relapse in Lupus Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic
phritis; that patient’s renal functionrecovered, and the patient has subse-
received an aminoglycoside duringHSCT and never became independent
of dialysis. Four patients with pretrans-
quently became dialysis dependent(Table 4) because of exposure to dye
Figure 2. Serology and Complement Before and After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
ANA indicates antinuclear antibody; anti-ds, anti–double-stranded. Blue bars indicate median values. Figure 3. SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Carbon Monoxide Diffusion Lung Capacity (DLCO) Corrected for Hemoglobin Before and After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation 532 JAMA, February 1, 2006—Vol 295, No. 5 (Reprinted)
2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN LUPUS
a result of patient selection, the condi-
ment renal biopsies were not obtained.
lapse, and 1 never entered remission. Similarly, 5 patients had AIHA: 3 are
Table 4. Renal Outcome in the Subset of Patients With a History of Pre-HSCT Nephritis Pre-HSCT Most Recent Patients With Creatinine Post-HSCT Creatinine Pre-HSCT Nephritis Clearance, mL/min Clearance, mL/min Current Status*
never achieved remission, respectively.
anticoagulation was not standardized.
ability of disease-free survival at 5 years
Abbreviations: ESRF, end-stage renal failure; HSCT, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; NA, not applicable; SLE,
*Remission is defined by Responder Index for Lupus Erythematosus criteria, as described in the text.
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(Reprinted) JAMA, February 1, 2006—Vol 295, No. 5 533
HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN LUPUS
contrast to eligibility criteria for malig-
contraindication for transplantation, on-
often the indication for stem cell trans-
electrolyte abnormalities, if given hyper-
considered an SLE-related eligibility cri-
terion for transplantation, is a contrain-
to a prolonged corticosteroid taper.
p e r i o d b e f o r e e n r o l l m e n t , a n d
major indication for transplantation.
function, a significant percentage of lu-
active inflammation, vasculitis, and APS.
tinely monitor or treat CMV viremia.
preemptive antimicrobial prophylaxis. 534 JAMA, February 1, 2006—Vol 295, No. 5 (Reprinted)
2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN LUPUS
the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the dataanalysis. Study concept and design: Burt, Traynor, Rosa,
less, this trial demonstrates that within
Acquisition of data: Burt, Traynor, Statkute, Barr, Rosa,Verda, Krosnjar, Quigley, Yaung, Villa, Takahashi,
Analysis and interpretation of data: Burt, Traynor,Statkute, Jonanovic, Oyama. Drafting of the manuscript: Burt, Traynor, Rosa, Verda,
Krosnjar, Quigley, Yaung, Villa, Takahashi, Oyama. Critical revision of the manuscript for important in-tellectual content: Burt, Traynor, Statkute, Barr,
Statistical analysis: Verda, Takahashi, Jonanovic. Obtained funding: Burt. Author Affiliations: Division of Immunotherapy (Drs Administrative, technical, or material support: Burt, Rosa,
Burt, Traynor, Statkute, Verda, Krosnjar, Takahashi,
Schroeder, Krosnjar, Quigley, Yaung, Villa, Takahashi.
and Oyama, Mss Quigley and Yaung, and Mr Villa),
Study supervision: Burt, Traynor, Statkute, Oyama.
Division of Rheumatology (Drs Barr and Schroeder),
Financial Disclosures: None reported.
Division of Nephrology (Dr Rosa), and Department of
Funding/Support: We wish to thank the BraveWings
Preventive Medicine (Dr Jonanovic), Department of
Foundation and Ginger’s Tomorrow Foundation for
Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School
of Medicine, Chicago, Ill. Dr Traynor is now with the
Role of the Sponsor: The funding organizations had
Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Mas-
no role in the design or conduct of the study; collec-
tion, management, analysis, or interpretation of the
Author Contributions: Dr Burt had full access to all
data; or in the preparation, review, or approval of the
of the data in the study and takes responsibility for
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